Auburn Man Arrested for Bomb Hoax

Worcester, MA (May 31, 2011) - On Sunday, May 29, 2011 at approximately 7:00 PM several Worcester Police officers responded to the area of 70 James Street for a reported bomb threat. The caller informed police that he had observed a male place what appeared to be a bomb under a white work van and then drove away in a blue Chevrolet pickup truck with a canoe on top.

Arriving officers met with the caller. He stated to the officers that he was in the rear of the building at 70 James Street when he observed a male holding up a gray clay substance. The male suspect then yelled at the witness and asked if he had ever seen c4 explode. The male then placed the substance under a company work van and lit some type of fuse. The male suspect then entered his truck and drove off.

Officers in route to the scene were able to locate and stop the suspect vehicle on nearby Ludlow Street. The officers approached the driver of the vehicle and explained why he had been stopped. A check on the license status of the driver revealed that he was operating his motor vehicle with a revoked license. The officers spoke with the suspect about the incident with the working van and he provided information about the incident.

The suspect was identified as Christopher Gilley, 44 years old of 85 Burnett Road, Auburn. Mr. Gilley was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle With a Revoked License and Possession of a Hoax Device.

The substance placed under the van was identified as duct sealing compound. It was located under the rear wheel well of the work van. There was no damage to the vehicle. Mr. Gilley will be arraigned at the Worcester County District Courthouse on May 31, 2011.